Automatic return-valve.



T. DAVIS. AUTOMATIC RETURN VALVE. APPLICATION FILED APR.20, 1908.

932,375. Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

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iUNiiTE i.` STATS PATENT QFFQE.

THOMAS DAVIS, F ST. PAUL', MNNESOTAAASSIGNOR T0 ALICE J'. DAVIS, 0F ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC RETURN-VALVE.

To all whom it may concer/a.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS Davis, of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Automatic Return-Yalves, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to return valves for heating apparatus.

In a vacuum steam heating system it is customary to remove the air and water of condensation from the radiators or coils by the use oi a vacuum pump maintaining a suction in the return pipes. rihis applies to a heating apparatus where reduced pressure or exhaust steam from engines or pumps is used. It has been found necessary in such apparatus to employ means for controlling the discharge of air and water of condensation and prevent the passage of steam into the return pipes. To accomplish this result the return valve should operate automatically, and positively control the discharge of air and water of condensation under all conditions.

In the present construction of return valves having an outlet port at the bottom and below the water seal it is impossible to obtain satisfactoryT results. Dirt will collect under the outlet valve and prevent its seating and cause a leak, and grease from the oil in the water of condensation will iloat to the surface and settle in the iioat chamber and prevent the flo at from moving and render the return valve inoperative and necessitating the removal of the iloat for the purpose of cleaning out the chamber.

T he primary object, therefore, of my invcntion is to provide a return valve which will positively control the discharge of air and water of condensation from the radiators or coils and prevent the waste of steam through the return pipe and also prevent dirt or grease from accumulating in the float chamber' or under the valve.

The invention consists generally in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyingl drawings, forming part ol: this specification, 1Eigure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a valve embodying my invention. lig. 2 is an outside view of the saine.

In the drawing, 2 represents the valve casing having an inlet connection 3 and outlet 4,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application fried April 20, 1908.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909. semiv No. 428,026.

the former leading from the radiator and the latter being connected with the return pipe. To permit access to the interior of the casing I provide a cap 5 in the top thereof. Above the outlet 4 and in line substantially therewith is an upright tube 6 having a passage 7 therethrough. 1n the top of the column is a seat 8. A i'loat 9 is arranged within the casing with surfiicient clearance between its walls and the casing to provide a balance space and passage for the air and this iloat carries a valve 10 that is adapted to engage the seat 8 and close the entrance to the passage 7. An annular guide 11 is provided on the interior wall of the casing to prevent lateral movement of the lioat. A port 12 is provided in the valve 10 and an upper wall of the float to form an air discharge passage. A continuous Water seal is formed covering the outlet opening and causing the grease and dirt from the heating apparatus to rise and i'loat upon the surface of the water. When the ioat rises and uncovers the outlet passage 7 the vacuum in the return pipe will suck out the grease with the water through the passage 7. The outlet valve 7 will have the functions of a skimmer and keep the iloat chamber or outlet valve and the air passage entirely free from grease and dirt.

The wall 13 is arranged in the casing opposite the inlet opening 3 and extends below the water seal to prevent air from entering the float and grease from working between the Yfloat and valve casing. This wall has a port 14 through which air may flow to the space above the float and through the port 12 to the passage 7 and the return pipe. A blow-ott` valve 15 for the water seal is located in the bottom of the valve casing below the upright tube 6.

I claim as my invention:

1. An automatic discharge valve for vacuumsteam-heating systems, comprising l that is above the level of said' inlet opening, a

iioat in the form of an inverted cup having an open, lower end and closing the upper portion of said tube, a valve mounted on said iioat and arranged to contact with said seat and close the entrance opening to said tube, said valve having a concave under surface and a ort leading from the cavity formed by sai( concave surface through said valve and said float into the upper portion of said casing, substantially as described.

2. An automatic discharge valve for vacuum steam-heatingr systems, comprising a casing having an inlet opening in its side Wall and a discharge opening below said inlet opening, a tube mounted above said discharge opening and extending upwardly into the'upper portion of said casing and having a seat formed on its upper end, said seat beying above said inlet o ening and below the normal level of the liquid in said casing whereby a continuous Water seal will be formed, a float having an open lower end and inclosing the upper portion of said tube and having a valve adapted to contact with said l seat and close the entrance opening to said tube.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of A ril 1908.

TH MAS DAVIS. Witnesses:

J. A. BYINGTON, C. G. HANsoN. 

